People of Machinga say ward councillors have contributed nothing to development since taking office a year ago.
The locals said this last weekend at a Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) public debate organised by National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust at Liwonde in Machinga.
The debate attracted panellists such as Chancellor College’s Asyatu Chiweza, Nice trust’s Enock Chinkhuntha, deputy director of Local Government Services, Douglas Mkweta and Lisanjala ward councillor David Chitedze.
The people said some ward councillors are failing to work with their members of Parliament (MPs) due to political party differences.
Responding to the audience’s claims, Chitedze said councillors fail to deliver because they do not have funds for development.
He said: “How can we deliver if we do not have any say on Constituency Development Fund (CDF)?”
Liwonde Township resident Yasin Chitsonga said industrial odour and poor hygiene in market places is a health hazard.
Said Chitsonga: “How can you say you deliver when you fail to clear the mess in your area.”
In her contribution, Chiweza, however, said Malawi is at foundation stage as such there is need to give councillors time to prove themselves.
Said Chiweza: “People have high expectations from councillors and want to see tangible results immediately which is not fair.”
Mkweta said people will appreciate councillors’ development efforts only if there is enough communication between the two parties.
Machinga has 14 ward councillors, five of whom are women—Mana
